Georgia Football: Top-Five Rushing Seasons for RBU

#2: Herschel Walker’s 1981 Season

In 1981 Herschel Walker ran for 1,891 yards, the most in Georgia’s and the SEC’s history.

Georgia started the season against the Tennessee Volunteers and whooped the Vols 44-0.

On the Dawgs second play of the season, Walker would pick up 11 yards. He would later score the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the season, diving over the pile and into the endzone.

Walker rushed for a total of 161 yards.

Georgia defeated California 27-13, lead by Walker’s 167 rushing yards, to remain undefeated headed into a meeting with rival Clemson at Memorial Stadium.

The Dawgs lost to the Tigers 13-3. Their only regular-season defeat all year. Walker would rush for 111 in the losing effort.

Georgia would take their frustration of losing to Clemson out on their in-state rival, South Carolina. Georgia would thump them 24-0. Walker would pace Georgia with 176 yards and two touchdowns.

After beating South Carolina, the Dawgs won the next seven games in a row. In those games, Walker would amass 1,147 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Georgia was No. 2 heading into the postseason as the Dawgs played Pittsburgh in the 1982 Sugar Bowl.

Walker gave Georgia an early lead with an 8-yard touchdown. He ended the game with 84 yards and two touchdowns, but it would not be enough to beat Dan Marino and the Panthers.

Georgia lost 20-24.

Walker’s 1981 season is not just a great one of Georgia, it still sits a top a very strong list from the SEC as a whole.

The best rushing season ever by any SEC running back. On top of that, it returned Georgia to the top of the college football world.